Pictured are sweet chili chicken tenders from Oh My Chicken at Park Place Mall.
Park Place Mall Food Court, 5870 E. Broadway
Korean-style fried chicken
Website: Oh My Chicken
This new mall vendor serves some of the best fried chicken in Tucson
Spotlight Alert Top Story
Restaurants and bars that opened in the Tucson area in 2022
From the What's new, Tucson? 22 people, places and things welcomed in 2022 series
If you're in the mood to try something new ─ or just in a new location ─ check out these restaurants and bars that opened or moved in 2022.
Oh My Chicken
Mountain Mike's Pizza
Mario Rosales cuts up a a pizza at Mountain Mike's Pizza. The restaurant occupies the former Five Guys space at Oracle and Wetmore roads.
4362 N. Oracle Road
520-524-1700
Website: Mountain Mike's Pizza
The restaurant is known for its 20-inch pies.
Muncheez
Aurelio, left, and Morgan Garcia prepare a customer order for Muncheez, set up outside Dragoon Brewing, 1859 W. Grant Road.
Outside Danny's Baboqivari Lounge, 2910 E. Fort Lowell Road
Website: Muncheez
Aurelio and Morgan Garcia opened their food stand in September.
This new food stand serves two of our favorite comfort foods: burgers and tacos
Tran's Fats
After years in the making, local foodie Jackie Tran has opened Tran's Fats at Hotel McCoy.
Jackie Tran opened this food truck in November. It can be found at Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road, most of the time.
Check out Tran's Fats website for other locations.
Tucson's favorite foodie Jackie Tran just opened a food truck
Rollies Mexican food truck
Birria rojo tacos with melted cheese and spiced beef broth are all the rage at Rollie's Mexican Patio.
Rollies Mexican Patio opened its second location with a food truck at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, Nov. 1, 2022.
Website: rolliestucson.com
Tucson favorite Rollies is opening a food truck at the MSA Annex
Houlden’s Rise Above
Hannah Houlden is the owner of Houlden’s Rise Above. Her vegan pastries, which include turnovers, pop tarts, cookies and more, tend to sell out at Coffee Times Drive-Thru.
Owner Hannah Houlden opened this brick and mortar vegan bakery at 5029 E. Fifth St. this year.
The bakery is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until items are sold out. Houlden's pastries can also be found at several coffeehouses around Tucson.
Mojo Cuban Kitchen and Rum Bar
Mojo's venue was completely redesigned from the spot's previous iteration as a Caribbean-themed nightclub, at 1929 E. Grant Road.
1929 E. Grant Road
Website: mojocuban.com
Mojo Cuban opened Oct. 30, 2022.
Tita Tita
Philip Rieff and Cody Webster are the masterminds behind Tita Tita, bringing Filipino food to Tucson.
Tita Tita is a pop-up restaurant serving Filipino food. Owners Philip Rieff and Cody Webster hope to open in a brick and mortar location in the future. Go to titatitaus.com to see where it will pop up next.
There's a new spot serving Filipino food in Tucson, from lumpia to BBQ
The Cookie Plug
150 N. Campbell Ave.
Website: cookieplug.com
Cookies are baked fresh daily. More locations will open in Tucson next year.
Two Hands Corn Dogs
Corn dogs or cheese sticks can be covered in crispy rice puffs or potato cubes and drizzled with “dirty sauce” at Two Hands Corndog shop.
2786 N. Campbell Ave.
781-786-1193
Website: Two Hands Corn Dogs – Campbell (usakor.com)
Two Hands Corn Dogs opened its first Tucson location October 12, 2022. This unique eatery features seven Korean-style corn dog options, plus fries and elote.
Two more Tucson-area locations are in the works.
Rudy’s “Country Store” & Bar-B-Q
Construction continues on the new Rudy’s “Country Store” & Bar-B-Q restaurant, 2130 E. Ajo Way. The Texas-based company has three Phoenix-area Rudy’s locations and plans to open its Tucson location on June 21.
2130 E Ajo Way
520-908-7397
Wesbite: rudysbbq.com
Rudy’s specializes in all things barbecue from their popular brisket to smoked turkey breast, chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Meat is sold by the half-pound — ranging from $6.99 for sausage links to $10.99 for brisket — and sides are a la carte.
Bonafide "Texplorer" Chet Garner, host of "The Daytripper" that explores all things Texas, learns how to cut a brisket like a pro from the Rudy's "Country Store" & Bar-B-Q team.
Nattha's Bann Thai Asian
Nattha's Bann Thai Asian recently opened in the former Peking Palace, serving up Thai and Cantonese dishes including the pictured shrimp Pad Thai.
6970 E. 22nd St.
Nattha’s Bann Thai Asian, located at 6970 E. 22nd St., opened around June and serves up Thai and Cantonese dishes from mussaman curry to Pad Thai.
Website: Nattha's Bann
By the Bucket
Tucson is getting its first By The Bucket takeout spaghetti shop this fall near Kolb and Tanque Verde roads.
2130 N. Kolb Road
(520) 771-6917
Website: www.bythebucket.com/
By the Bucket sells hot spaghetti to go in a bucket, meatballs, meatball subs, deserts and cold drinks.
By The Bucket's kitchens are simple, with steamers for the spaghetti, warmers for the marinara and meatballs, and a toaster for the bread.
Peace, Love and Pops
A pedestrian walks past soon to be popsicle restaurant Peace, Love & Pops, 845 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 24, 2022.
814 E University Blvd
(520) 372-7805
Website: peaceloveandpops.com
A new popsicle shop — Peace, Love & Pops — will be going in at 845 E. University Blvd. The restaurant, which will feature fresh fruit popsicles as well as more inventive flavors, from regional prickly pear to cream-based popsicles with cereal, is expected to open in late April or early May.
Tooley's Cafe
Tooley's will reopen with the original breakfast and lunch menu that dates back to 1989.
299 S. Park Ave
(520) 203-8970
Website: Facebook.com/TooleysCafe
The restaurant at 299 S. Park Ave. will reopen, after a six-year closure, on Friday, June 3, with the original breakfast and lunch menu that dates back to 1989.
Texas Burrito Company
Texas Burrito Company is located at 1570 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd.
1570 E. Tucson Marketplace Blvd
Suite 100
520-367-6050
Website: texasburritoco.com
This new restaurant on Tucson's south side is run by Jason Scott, who incorporates his Texan roots and barbecue into traditional Sonoran food.
Ren Bakery and Espresso Bar
Ren Bakery and Espresso Bar opened in the former 8 Degrees Ice Cream & Cookies, an 1,100-square-foot space that already had an oven.
4320 N. Campbell Ave., #43
520-389-8926
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Baked goods from muffins and danish to scones and cinnamon rolls that are used in Ren Coffeehouse nearby, and of course, espresso.
Tanna's Botannas
Marie and Buddy Lozano place their order at Tanna's Botannas, 4426 S. Sixth Ave.
4426 S. Sixth Ave.
520-445-5875
Website: tannasbotannas.com
Spicy candies and snacks are on the menu.
Squared Up Pizza
Squared Up Pizza uses fresh pepperoni and co-owner Mario Badali’s family recipe for Sicilian pies.
5870 E Broadway
520-519-2000
Website: facebook.com/squareduppizza
This pizza spot presents Sicilian pies like you get in New York. Their pies are in the traditional Sicilian square, with a thicker base and crunchy crust.
Frida's Cafe
Frida's Cafe's Diego Rivera sandwich is a spin on a BLT, with a chile relleno instead of bacon, plus some avocado.
5526 E Grant Road
520-367-4711
Website: fridascafe.net
Menu items are inspired by the famous painter couple, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
The Monica
Chris Ahlers gets some work done in the main dining room near the retractable doors to the patio after lunch at The Monica, 40 E. Congress St.
40 E. Congress St.
520-645-1924
Website: themonicatucson.com
The Monica opened as an offshoot of El Charro Café. It is named for El Charro's founder Monica Flin and includes a market along with the restaurant.
BoSa Donuts
6872 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-526-2341
BoSa Donuts serves more than donuts and coffee. You can get lunch there with sandwiches and other drinks.
Bun Dock Vietnamese Noodle
3225 N. Swan Road, Suite 111
520-274-7419
The restaurant specializes in Vietnamese Bún (Vermicelli Salad Bowls)
Cruda Mariscos & Oyster Bar
Server Lili Garcia brings drinks to the outdoor dining area in front of the new restaurant Cruda, 31 N. Scott Ave., Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2022.
31 N. Scott Ave.
520-207-0589
Cruda is the newest in a slew of opulent, Mexican-influenced restaurants across Tucson. It was opened by Danny Cordova in the space left when his first downtown venture, La Chingada, moved into the former location of the now-closed restaurant Cafe Poca Cosa.
Fullylove's
Pictured is half of the V-Licious Vegan Burger and veggie chips from Fullylove's now in Main Gate Square
994 E. University Blvd.
520-534-7896
This lunch to late-night munchies spot has classic and vegan burgers and sandwiches and sides and a considerable dessert menu.
Guadalajara Grille
Guadalajara’s in Marana has opened with the same classic Mexican dishes as its sister locations in Tucson.
5955 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive
520-296-4221
This Mexican restaurant at 5955 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive is the third location for chef-owner Seth Holzman, which include Guadalajara Grill Mexican, 4901 E. Broadway, and Guadalajara Grill Fiesta, 750 N. Kolb Road. It has the same menu of classic Mexican food.
Midtown Vegan Deli and Market
Midtown Vegan Deli and Market wants to make veganism more accessible for all.
5071 E. Fifth St.
520-849-5553
Tanya Barnett started her deli and market out of a desire to make veganism more accessible — for meat eaters and die-hard vegans alike. She asked vegans what ingredients they needed to find and placed them on her first order.
Ni Hao Tea
2800 N. Campbell Ave.
(520) 771-6373
Ni Hao Tea, with this new location, serves Boba tea and smoothies.
The Century Room at Hotel Congress
Shana Oseran spearheaded the idea of opening a jazz club called the Century Room inside Hotel Congress' former Copper Hall. The borderlands jazz and mezcal tasting lounge will open on Feb. 4.
311 E. Congress St.
520-622-8848
hotelcongress.com/family/century-room
Tucson's only jazz club, The Century Room borderlands jazz club and mezcal tasting lounge, is in the former Copper Hall banquet space at at Hotel Congress.
The Delta
Owners of the newest downtown restaurant, The Delta. From left, Steve Dunn, Travis Peters and Bryce Zeagler hope to create a “libation and culinary thrill ride.”
135 S. Sixth Ave.
520-524-3400
The Delta officially opened on New Year’s Day. It is the downtown sister project of local favorite The Parish.
Tucsonans might recognize The Parish as a restaurant that transforms an Oro Valley strip mall into a shot of New Orleans. The Delta will feature the same Southern Hospitality it will be a bar with a grill menu instead of the Parish's gumbo.
Bata
Bata takes up 6,000 square feet of the historic 1930s warehouse at 35 E. Toole Ave.
35 E. Toole Ave.
Website: batatucson.com
Bata is owned by Tyler Fenton, who, with two siblings, also owns Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink. The menu will consist of foods touched by fire, whether being grilled, charred, flame dried or burned (on purpose).
Pacaws Wings & Things
In this Series
What's new, Tucson? 22 people, places and things welcomed in 2022
For Star subscribers: CupBop, opening in central Tucson, will serve rice, noodles, veggies and protein options in a cup.
For Star subscribers: If he wins, Don Guerra will be the first Tucsonan to take home a James Beard award since the owner of El Guerro Canelo landed the honor in 2018.
For Star subscribers: Check out these Tucson restaurants and bars where the art on their walls are just as satisfying as the food on their menus.
For Star subscribers: Tucson is getting its first Portillo's, opening in the former Claim Jumper on Broadway by year's end — one of two new locations in Arizona.
"The Pueblos del Maíz" is a monthlong cross-border festival that starts in Tucson and goes to two Mexican cities of gastronomy and San Antonio.
For Star subscribers: The Corbett building in downtown Tucson is being renovated, with a hotel and apartments planned for the future.
For Star subscribers: Barrio Bread is adding more production space and a larger retail area to its bakery on Broadway and Country Club Road.
The Monica — the latest venture from Si Charro — will be hosting a monthly event to highlight the quality goods being produced in Tucson.
For Star subscribers: After pandemic's perfect storm, the 45-year-old restaurant that started out as an outpost of Swensen's will close no later than June 15.
For Star subscribers: A husband and wife team of bakers was the only Tucson business selected to pitch to one of the biggest retail players in the game: Walmart.
This week, fans of Netflix's "Stranger Things" can buy "Upside Down" drinks at Eegee's until July 8.
For Star subscribers: Tucson's culinary landscape includes a number of restaurants that serve Cuban dishes but none solely devoted to the cuisine.
Tap & Bottle North is devoting a few of its many taps to cocktails after gaining licensing to sell spirits like whiskey, tequila and mixed drinks.
For Star subscribers: Whether you're planning a trip to the beaches of San Diego or taking a trip to Texas, here are some restaurants with a Tucson connection.
For Star subscribers: In just one year, Salad and Go has opened two Tucson restaurants and has three more in the works.
For Star subscribers: With the price of everything going sky high, you might be able to save a bit by splitting a massive plate at one of these Tucson restaurants.
En solo un año, Salad and Go ha abierto dos restaurantes en Tucsón y tiene tres más en proceso.
For Star subscribers: The brewery will have six to 10 beers on tap, and will double as a cafe space, with a full coffee and espresso menu in the mornings.
A fourth Tucson-area Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers location opened today at 2150 E. Ajo Way. The first 100 dine-in customers can win a free t-shirt by ordering a combo meal.
Tucson has many local coffeehouses, each with a different style and list of specialty drinks. This interactive map shows you where to find them:
Guadalajara's Grill is hosting parties this month as a way to say thank you to the community members who have supported the Tucson-area business for 20 years.
Try early tiki-themed cocktails and menu items while checking out vintage vendors and a display showcasing the Kon Tiki's history.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sept. 1 with a birthday staple — free cake.
The newest Salad and Go restaurant opening in Tucson, at 1302 S. Kolb Road, will give out free salads Saturday, Sept. 10.
¿Ensalada gratis? Podrías ser una de las 200 personas que reciba una este 10 de septiembre en la nueva ubicación de Salad and Go en Kolb y 22nd Street.
The downtown Tucson eatery was named one of 50 best new restaurants in the country. It was one of two Arizona restaurants to earn a spot on the list.
For Star subscribers: The new restaurant will be the second Tucson location and a third is already in the works.
For Star subscribers: The folks behind Borderlands Brewing are teaming with Tucson Chef Maria Mazon on another restaurant concept that will feature a speakeasy.
For Star subscribers: The fresh fast-casual concept, which will open in midtown Tucson next year, also serves juices, protein shakes, sandwiches and salads.
For Star subscribers: The longtime midtown Tucson seafood-centric restaurant will be under new ownership but the staff will stay on board.
For Star subscribers: A wellness-focused restaurant inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil's anti-inflammatory food pyramid is expanding to Tucson.
From newborn furry friends to locally-owned shops, here's a roundup of some of the new additions the Old Pueblo saw this year.
Tucson gained a handful of new restaurants after the 2022 Tucson Desert Song Festival, here's where you can grab a bite before your show this year.
More than 50 food vendors, wineries, breweries, distilleries and artisan food purveyors will be on hand at the Tucson Botanical Gardens for Savor Food & Wine Festival.
For Star subscribers: The pizzeria owner is hoping increased traffic will help him dig out of a financial hole, after being temporarily locked out of the space.
For Star subscribers: After a long day in the kitchen, even chefs don't want to go home and cook. Here's where they like to eat around Tucson and what they order.
For Star subscribers: Comida Park at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet is bringing in nearly two dozen vendors with a variety of eats for its three-day grand opening.
Good Pierogi is Krem Miskevich's Polish dumpling pop-up that recently debuted at a Tucson farmers market.
For Star subscribers: Rudy's is bringing its oak-wood smoked brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs, and a hidden gem breakfast menu to Tucson's south side.
For Star subscribers: The former Frank's Sports Grill & Bar on Tucson's east side has been renovated and will become home to a new restaurant bar next month.
Bonafide "Texplorer" Chet Garner, host of "The Daytripper" that explores all things Texas, learns how to cut a brisket like a pro from the Rud…
For Star subscribers: Tucson's foodie culture is about to be on full display for millions of viewers after "Top Chef" secretly rolled into town last winter.
For Star subscribers: A burger spot catering to sports fans with 12 existing locations is making it's way to the Tucson-area later this year.
El Charro Café and the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa were filming locations for the recent "Top Chef: Houston" episode "Cactu…
Reigning Iron Chef Tucson Wendy Gauthier of Chef Chic takes on her Virginia childhood neighbor Kenneth Foy of Dante's Fire.
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While the Tucson area has welcomed dozens of new bars and restaurants since the start of 2022, several businesses shut down for good this year.
The popular Midwest chain restaurant is once again offering the cheese curd-topped "CurderBurger" through the end of this month.